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10 Best Craft Beers for Summer

The summer is a great time to hang with friends, go on vacation and relax, or chill out and have a BBQ. With any of these occasions it’s crucial to have the perfect craft beer in hand. Here are some interesting and worthwhile beers. Whether you prefer maltiness or something with more hops, you’ll be able to find atleast one to your liking. Even if you don’t consider yourself a beer drinker, try out one of the ciders and you’ll fall in love. Cheers!

1. Brooklyn Pilsner – Pilsner

Source: totalwine.com

If you’re new to craft beers, this would be a great introduction. Pilsners are similar to a pale lager. This beer has a slightly toasted malty flavor with a hint of floral hops. Also crisp and refreshing which makes it perfect for the summer.

ABV – 5%

2. Crispin Artisanal Reserve The Bohemian – Cider

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This one is for the cider lovers. Hard cider is a great beer for the summer because it lacks that typical “beer” taste. This one get its sweetness from green apples, and finishes with a hint of spice. In case this beer is hard to find, any of the Crispin Ciders are great.

ABV – 5.8%

3. Dogfish Head Festina Peche – Berliner Weisse

Source: totalwine.com

Peaches! Yes this beer is brewed with peaches, and although you may expect something very sweet, it’s not. It has a more sour taste, in a good way. The way the peaches are fermented leaves the beer tart with a peach aroma. It’s definitely a fun beer to try out this summer.

ABV 4.5%

4. Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat – Witbier

Source: totalwine.com

Although Leinenkugel may be better known for their Summer Shandy, the Sunset Wheat should not be overlooked! Witbiers are Belgian style ales that tend to be more cloudy due to the unfiltered yeast. It’s often referred to as “white beer.” The Sunset Wheat has a prominent blueberry smell and may resemble a great cereal, Fruity Pebbles.

ABV 4.9%

5. Pyramid Apricot Ale – Fruit Ale

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Don’t be too alarmed by the strong apricot smell you get immediately after opening, it’s much more even in the taste. It’s definitely not an over kill. The apricot gives you a fresh fruity taste that it awesome for the summer time. Nothing beats an ice cold Apricot Ale in the scalding heat.

ABV 5.1%

6. B. Nektar Zombie Killer – Mead

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This is one of my personal favorites. I could drink this any time of year, but it’s great for the summer. It’s light and carbonated giving it a refreshing feel when drinking. For those who aren’t familiar with Meads, it’s another word for honey-wine. This one in particular is made with hard cider as well. It has a hint of cherry, and when poured into a glass, has an awesome pink color. Even though it’s on the expensive side, it’s worth the splurge to try out at least once this summer.

ABV 6%

7. Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale – American Blonde

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Although this one has a much more dry taste compared to the other, it’s still a refreshing beer for summer. The hoppiness is prominent and the best for those who prefer hops over malts. Great to drink during a summer BBQ! Also, Flying Fish Brewery is located in Somerdale, NJ so if you’re in the area definitely go take a tour and test out some beers.

ABV 4.6%

8. Victory Brewing Summer Love – Golden Ale

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Everyone’s looking for a little summer lovin, just ask Sandy and Danny. This beer is definitely a session beer, meaning you can easily drink one after another. Perfect for a summer hang out on the beach or at a party, you won’t get sick of the taste after two. The hops and malts are balanced out to make it a great beer.

ABV 5.2%

9. 21st Amendment Hell Or High Watermelon – Wheat

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If you want something super sweet where you can’t taste the alcohol in your drink, you should just make yourself a cocktail. This is still beer, and it’s the subtle hints of watermelon that make this beer perfect. Who doesn’t love fresh watermelon in the summer? 21st Amendment Brewery definitely does it right, along with their other beers, and all have great packaging.

ABV 4.9%

10. AleSmith Brewing Company YuleSmith Summer – Imperial IPA

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This beer has double the alcohol content of any of the other beers, so be cautious when drinking. Although some people may not notice the ABV on the bottle, it definitely makes a difference when the beer is a double/imperial – anything over 8%. Citrusy and grassy, there are subtle notes within the beer, but also a stronger alcohol taste. If you’re an IPA fan, then this is definitely a cool beer to check out this summer.